A GPS tracker for an autistic child is a specialized device designed to monitor the location of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), providing real-time tracking and location updates to caregivers or parents. These devices often come with features tailored to the needs of autistic children, such as geofencing alerts, panic buttons, and wearability options, to ensure safety and peace of mind for both the child and their guardians.
Why is it important?
Nearly half of the children with autism older than four years wander or elope from safe places, according to Kennedy Krieger’s Interactive Autism Network. Such incidents increase the risk of drowning and traffic-related accidents. One parent on reddit noted that their non-verbal child could not respond to their name, making it even harder to locate an autistic child without a GPS tracker.
It is for this reason that Sen. Charles Schumer, NY, proposed that the federal government should provide tracking devices for these kids. GPS trackers help in locating children with special needs as soon as they go missing.
Top Pick Based on Our Research
🥇 AngelSense GPS Tracker – Best GPS and Voice Monitoring Solution. AngelSense is designed specifically for children with special needs.
🥈 Apple Airtag – Best for tracking a moving child. Apple Airtag does not need the paired device to be near, since it can track location using other Apple devices.
🥉 mSpy app – Best overall phone tracking app. mSpy helps to monitor the digital life of a teen with special needs.
Types of GPS Tracking Devices For Autistic Children
GPS tracking devices for autistic children are categorized based on their design and functionality.
- Wearable GPS Trackers are compact devices designed to be worn by the child, often resembling a watch or bracelet. They provide real-time location information and are sensory-friendly.
- GPS Tracking Smartwatches for Kids are specialized smartwatches equipped with GPS capabilities. They allow location tracking and most feature communication functions for parents and children.
- GPS Tracking Devices with Voice Communication include two-way communication features, enabling the child to talk to their caregivers through the device, enhancing safety and reassurance.
- GPS Shoe Inserts or Insoles are discreet GPS tracking devices placed inside the child’s shoes or insoles. They provide location data while being inconspicuous.
- GPS Tracking Pendants or Necklaces are designed to be worn around the neck; they offer GPS tracking and may include an SOS button for emergency calls.
- GPS Clip-On Trackers are small and easy clip-on trackers to attach to clothing or bags for tracking a child’s location discreetly.
- GPS Tracking Apps for Smartphones can turn a child’s phone into a tracking device, allowing a parent or caregiver to monitor the child’s location in real time alongside other digital activities.
- GPS Tracking Bracelets are wrist-worn devices that provide GPS tracking and come in various designs to appeal to children.
- GPS Tracking Keychains can be attached to a child’s belongings, such as backpacks or keyrings, allowing for easy location tracking.
Comparison of GPS Trackers for Autistic Child
So, how to choose the best GPS tracker for a child with autism? Compare their main pros and cons in the table below.
Type | Best For | Pros | Cons | Price Range |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wearable GPS trackers | Live location tracking | Sensory-friendly Updates location every few minutes | Short battery life | $$ – $$$ |
GPS tracking smartwatches for kids | Active kids with ASD | Most have SOS buttons Use multiple tracking technologies | Need to be near the paired device High upfront costs for some | $$ – $$$ |
GPS tracking devices with voice communication | Non-verbal autistic kids | Help comfort the child Help to communicate with other people near a missing nonverbal child | Require a monthly subscription Voice button may be misused by kids who don’t understand its use | $$$ |
GPS shoes inserts or insoles | Non-invasive GPS tracking | Offer discreet tracking Impressive range Less likely to be forgotten | A bit pricey Not as popular as other GPS trackers | $$$ |
GPS tracking pendants or necklaces | Effective on-the-go tracking | Most come with emergency alert features Often lightweight and inconspicuous | Apps may lack advanced features Easy to forget | $ – $$ |
GPS clip-on trackers | Real-time location tracking | Small and lightweight designs Most offer Bluetooth tethering | Some lack SOS buttons Live tracking may wear the device’s battery | $$ – $$$ |
GPS tracking apps for smartphones | Digital activity monitoring | Can record the screen Comprehensive tracking of phone’s features like apps | Require a monthly subscription Some do not sync data in real time | $ – $$ |
GPS tracking bracelets | Real-time tracking | Inexpensive Offer Bluetooth pairing Long battery life | Use frequency may affect battery life Some require monthly subscription | $ – $$ |
GPS tracking keychain | Multiple wearing methods | Offer two-way finding capabilities Can beep to alert their presence | Range is often limited No location history features | $ – $$ |
We took some resources from the top reviews of the best, and almost all of them were awful. So trust only verified sources of information or blogs of specialized services related to telecommunications. For example, like our HeyLocate blog.
Top GPS Trackers For Autistic Children
This article provides a list of the top-rated GPS trackers for autistic children. We do not offer rankings, and all the products mentioned here have distinct features tailored to meet the diverse needs of customers.
AngelSense GPS Tracker
AngelSense GPS and voice monitoring tracker was created by Doron together with Nery Ben-Azar in 2013. The company specializes in assistive technology for loved ones with Autism, special needs, and dementia. The AngelSense wearable device combines multiple technologies for a seamless connection between the wearer and caregivers.
Best for live location tracking.
Price:
- $229 – device;
- $64.99/mo – month-to-month plan;
- $44.99/mo – Annual plan;
- $49.99/mo – one-year contract.
User Experience:
AngelSense is perhaps the best GPS tracker for an autistic child. The small 3-inch device can fit in your child’s pocket, and you can store it in a pouch with magnetic snaps to keep it in the pouch. If your child does not want it on their clothing, you can also use a belt to tie it.
AngelSense has a call and SOS button. It connects to an app where you can add a guardian and first responders. It shows your child’s location on a map and will alert you when they leave a predefined safe zone.
Parents on reddit like AngelSense’s new model since it can be worn on a wrist or waistband. They also like the two-way voice feature, as they can talk with the child while calling out if they wander.
Based on my experience, AngelSense works excellently, although the battery life leaves much to like. I had to charge it daily; otherwise, it would die on my child the following day. I liked its continuous real-time GPS location tracking, auto-pickup speakerphone, and proactive alerts.
Pros:
- shows the accurate location of the tracked child;
- it allows you to define a boundary as a trusted place;
- it learns your child’s routes and routines;
- offers indoor location tracking using Wi-Fi hotspots.
Cons:
- battery life could last longer;
- only 60 voice minutes per month.
Apple Airtag – Best GPS Pendant
Apple Airtag is a small tracking device that you can attach to a pendant. Parents use it as a free GPS tracker for an autistic child, since it only needs to be within Bluetooth range of another iPhone device. Apple Airtags utilizes the Find My network, which has an estimated 1.8 million active users. Since its launch in 2021, Apple has sold over 55 million Airtags.
Best for tracking a moving child.
Price:
$29.
User Experience:
Apple Airtag is a small size device, around 1.26 inches in diameter. You can track your child when they are in Bluetooth range of other iPhones or use the Find My Network to find them when far away. The Airtag offers accurate location tracking thanks to the network’s precision, which can find any device with a 10-ft accuracy.
Many people recommend the Apple Airtag for non-verbal kids since they are small and can be difficult to remove depending on the pendant you use.
When I tried the Apple Airtag, I found that it can work offline when it’s near another Apple device. Furthermore, the battery lasts super long since it’s not rechargeable. I could attach it to a waterproof pendant so that my child can take it with him for swimming lessons. Although the Apple Airtag was always paired to his tablet, I could always find him in busy locations because of the proximity to iPhones.
Pros:
- updates information often enough for real-time tracking;
- iOS devices can report their location from far away;
- Appl Airtags are shareable on iOS 17, making it easier to share location when a child wanders;
- battery lasts up to a year, making it possible for 24/7 tracking.
Cons:
- it won’t be reliable in sparsely populated areas;
- lacks cross-platform support.
mSpy – Best Overall for Phone Tracking
mSpy is a leading monitoring app for Android and iOS. It was created in 2010 to help parents monitor their kids’ digital activities. mSpy has received dozens of reviews, and users on SiteJabber gave it 3.95 stars. It’s also quite popular on Facebook, with over 35,000 followers on the platform.
Best for tracking the digital activity of older children.
Price:
- $48.99/mo;
- $27.99/mo – paid quarterly;
- $11.66/mo – paid annually.
User Experience:
mSpy works by intercepting data from your teen’s phone to your online control panel. It can report all activities, from call logs to text messages, social media, and internet activity. Reddit users agree that it works as promised, although set up on an iPhone seems more complicated than on Android phones.
I installed mSpy on an Android phone, and it was easy to use. It operated in stealth mode and did not affect the phone’s battery life. In addition, it did not impact other phone features, which could have been stress-inducing for many autistic children.
mSpy is one of the best GPS trackers, since it uses cellular technology to show the phone’s exact location. It offered reassurance that I could track my teens if they got lost on Google Maps. Besides, I could get ahead of anything suspicious that my non-verbal teen could not communicate. I found it super useful not just for location tracking but also for online safety.
Pros:
- you can sync iPhone’s data without installing the app;
- uploads data every five minutes for live monitoring;
- you record the screen to see the most popularly used apps;
- you can block apps and websites unsuitable for your teen.
Cons:
- lacks a free trial;
- month-to-month plans can be quite pricey.
My Buddy Tag – Best GPS Bracelet
My Buddy Tag is a GPS bracelet by Le Vise Products LLC. The company was founded in 2010 in Plano, Texas. The My Buddy Tag GPS tracker was launched in 2013 and has been a favorite for many parents. The device now has 23k followers on Facebook and 3.6-star reviews on Amazon.
Best for preventing wandering.
Price:
$39.99.
User Experience:
My Buddy Tag is a special kids’ GPS tracker that does not require a monthly subscription. It is a non-removable child-tracking device with a coin screw fastener. My Buddy Tag uses Bluetooth technology with a range of 120 ft (ca. 37 m). It also alerts you when it’s submerged in water to prevent drowning.
One parent said the bracelet offers extra comfort for her ADHD daughter with autism spectrum disorder. When I experimented with it, I liked that it does not have a SIM card, so there are no monthly fees. Additionally, the companion app is free. Since the range is only 120 ft, I found it useful in crowded places such as Disneyland or summer camp.
Pros:
- alerts you when it falls into water;
- it can show you the last known location if it’s too far from the connected app;
- small panic button to make sure the child can alert you in danger;
- fairly easy for a child with autism to use.
Cons:
- wristband is too small for older kids;
- works in a small area of only 120 ft.
Jiobit – Best Clip – On GPS Tracker
Jiobit was launched in 2015 as a GPS tracker for children with ASD. It uses GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular data to show its location on a companion app. Jiobit was acquired by Life360, a popular tech company, in 2021. Life360 has over 26 million active monthly users on its phone-built GPS tracker.
Best for long-distance tracking.
Price:
- $129.99 – device;
- $14.99/mo;
- $12.99/mo – 6-month plan;
- $8.99 – 2-year plan.
User Experience:
Jiobit is an incredible tracking device for special needs. It uses GPS to obtain the device’s location in real-time. The device uses the lowest-power radio to preserve its battery. You can use various features such as Live Mode, Timeline, and Trusted Places.
Most parents on reddit love the Jiobit GPS tracker and use it to ensure their kids with ASD get from one location to another. Due to my practical knowledge, Jiobit is a unique tracking device for autistic children that provides accurate tracking for their safety.
Jiobit provided me with a detailed map of my child’s current location in the Live Mode. It also gave me two days of location history and notifications if my child left the pre-selected geofence zones. Furthermore, Jiobit could also tell me if my child is straying too far from the app using Bluetooth technology.
I found this tracker worthy to help prevent wandering and also bring a lost child with special needs home.
Pros:
- battery lasts up to ten days;
- it is sensory-friendly for kids who don’t like being touched;
- mobile geofence tethers your child to your phone in crowded places;
- allows you to act immediately if an autistic child wanders.
Cons:
- lacks alerts if it gets submerged;
- live GPS tracking compromises battery life.
GPS SmartSole
GPS SmartSole is a hidden GPS tracker for special needs’ children. These sole inserts were developed by Meta Alert GTX Corp, a company that focuses on making health and safety solutions for families and businesses.
Best for tracking location of older kids.
Price:
- $359 – insoles;
- $29.95/mo.
User Experience:
The GPS SmartSole comes in three sizes that you can trim to fit older children with ASD. The sole insert is GPS technology-enabled and updates the child’s location every ten minutes. It transmits the location data to the Smart Locator app and the GTX Corp Monitoring portal.
Users on Quora recommend the GPS SMartSole since it’s lightweight and updates the location frequently. Upon experimenting with it, I liked that it is discreet and non-invasive. Although it’s thicker than regular insoles, my nephew did not report feeling much difference in his footwear.
I could track my nephew’s location on the shareable app using its 2-way GPS tracking device. The batteries have a long battery life of four days, and the insoles use inductive charging.
I liked setting up a personalized radius and getting alerts if my nephew left the safe area. I even got alerts when the battery was low, which is a huge plus. The GPS SmartSole was accurate, one of the most important features in a tracking device for a child with autism.
Pros:
- you can check in whenever you want to see the live location;
- the child can wear them in wet weather;
- there are no contract or activation fees;
- notifies you when the battery is low.
Cons:
- charging time is up to four hours;
- complete submersion affects the life of the GPS SmartSoles.
If you need to track a kid once in a while, you can use a phone number tracker that finds location through SMS with a tracking link. The text message can be anonymous. To try it, start with filling the form below.
Provide the Phone Number to Locate It Swiftly
Conclusion
Children with autism tend to wander, but with one of these GPS trackers, you can keep an eye on your child. Moreover, you will be able to act quickly in case your child leaves the house or takes a different route from school.
You can depend on the AngelSense GPS tracker, as it was made for children with special needs. If you want a simple tracker that does not have a monthly fee, Apple Airtag is an excellent choice. Meanwhile, mSpy offers both GPS location and digital activity tracking for older kids.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
One of the best GPS trackers for kids with autistic children is the AngelSense device. It has two-way voice communication, so you can speak with your child to calm them if they are non-verbal.
You cannot put a GP chip in your child, since they are merely barcodes that provide basic information about a pet. They cannot let you track the child’s location.
Some popular tracking devices for nonverbal autistic children are AngelSense and Jiobit GPS trackers. AngelSense lets you speak with other people, like caregivers, while Jiobit has an automated security system that can tell you when your child is in danger by pressing a button.
The My Buddy Tag does not have a monthly fee since it does not use a SIM card. However, it tracks locations of up to 120 ft (ca. 37 m).
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